Kids give pope Mickey Mouse cap but he prefers white

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, who generally wears a white skull cap known as a "zuchetto," was given a Mickey Mouse cap with ears Friday.

But, to the disappointment of photographers who would have had a field day with such a shot, he did not try it on.

A group of young people from Orange County, California -- where Disneyland is located -- gave the pope the black cap while they were lunching with him during World Youth Day festivities.

They also gave him a California Angels baseball and a stress ball.

According to the young people who briefed reporters about the private lunch, the pope smiled and squeezed the stress ball but passed the Mickey Mouse cap to his aides.